Musings on Travel, Fashion & Fun

Daily Archives: 8 October 2013

Little India, the ethnic quarter of Singapore, is synonymous with all things Indian, 24-hour shopping (hello Mustafa!) and backpackers hostels, so it’s a bit curious to hear that a retail store has opened amidst the cultural backdrop – beside hole-in-the-wall prata shops and hardware stores. I was intrigued.

It wasn’t hard to spot the white-neon green storefront along its more sedate neighboursHoused within two conservation shophouse units along Dunlop Street, Temporium plays hosts to over 30 promising local design talents, artists, homegrown brands and even Kitchen Label, an independent record label and publisher. The ground floor houses women’s fashion and a café while men’s fashion and a gallery space for exhibitions and workshops are located on the second level.

Did you know the two shophouses which now houses Temporium used to be a massage parlour and quarters for construction workers?How Temporium came about is pretty interesting – Tofu (creative studio) had an idea of creating a space where local designers could showcase their products affordably but was fazed by high rentals. Breezeway (award-winning boutique developer specialising in heritage and conservation projects) wanted to create unique lifestyle concepts anchored by nostalgic architecture as a way to preserve precious pieces of Singapore’s history and make them relevant in today’s context.

So while Breezeway awaited building permits to redevelop newly-acquired properties, Tofu could use the space rent-free for 6 months to realise their retail aspiration. And voila, Temporium was born. I think it is a pretty smart and efficient idea. 2 more locations are already in the works once the Dunlop space expires.

On the retail front, Temporium carries a range of over 30 most promising local fashion labels such as Ling Wu, Yumumu, By Invite Only, Fabrix, Mystic Vintage and Woon Hung.

I am currently in love with Ade.G’s jewelry pieces made of raw crystals and freshwater pearls. So versatile and so funky.

By Invite Only is another of my fave local designer.

It’s an accessories heaven. I dig furballs!

I would so carry these kitschy totes

Now up to Level 2 for some men’s fashion inspiration

I would so wear this jacket. In fact, I think I like the men’s collection more then the lady’s, ha.

G-Dragon would be proud

Fancy a new wallet?

Cuuute…resist, resist

Want2. My wallet is shivering…

Exhibition: Silence Please – Work In ProgressA collaboration between BooksActually and 5 modern day craftsmenLevel 2 houses a gallery space where they will have regular exhibitions by local creative talents. I hear workshops on niche crafts and interests like pottery, leatherworking, coffee appreciation and gentlemen’s grooming are in the works too.

Gorgeous space. I love the high ceilings in old shophouses.

Don’t you just love the raw feel of leather?

After sweating over retail decisions, have a cup of tea at the cafe on the ground floor. You won’t regret it.

Compl(e)ments Of: Wild Rocket × Papa Palheta × Weekend WorkerThe café is a collaboration between artisanal coffee brewer Papa Palheta, ceramics collective Weekend Worker and Wild Rocket. Food is served in specially-made ceramic ware on a wooden tray which you can purchase. I feel like I am consuming an artpiece.By the way – the black glutinous rice cake with a dash of coconut cream was delish! It was light and fluffly, and totally worth the carbs.

I am in love with the ceramics. You can feel the dedication of the pair of hands that moulded each cup.

The menus is kept short so that it is ever-changing. They started with a salmon red rice donburi when Temporium, opened on 7 Sep, and now it’s a soft-shell chili crab in a squid ink burger. I am so going back to try the burger soon.Prices are also kept wallet-friendly, ranging from S$6-8 for a coffee, and main courses not more than S$20. Great place to impress a date.

You can ‘da-bao’ (takeaway) a bag of hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp) & cheese cookies!Check out the tongue-in-cheek label.

Temporium was a great find, and I was quite happy with the visit. The staff (thanks Joshua!) were pretty friendly too, and they made the whole experience a very pleasant one.